Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
Tokyo Paralympics Day 1, 25th August: Sonalben and Bhavina Patel lose their first match - LIVE Updates, blog
Kickstarting action for the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Paralympics will be medal hopeful paddlers from Gujarat - Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel.
Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel will face off in the finals of CWG 2022
Welcome to the LIVE blog of The Bridge for Day 1 of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Sonalben Patel, who is ranked World No. 19 and placed in Group D of the Class 3 event, lost a closely fought encounter 2-3 against the 2016 silver medallist Li Qian.
On the other hand, World No. 8 Bhavina Patel, fell to a 3-0 straight games defeat against China's Zhou Ying to bring down curtains on the Indian challenge in Tokyo for the day.
You can read the match report of Sonalben Patel and Bhavina Patel here.
Live Updates
- 25 Aug 2021 2:28 AM GMT
Yes, ladies and gents, this is a nail-biter!
Sonalben and Li Qian take the third game to a deuce! It is 12 ALL!
Can't keep the nerves calm? So can't we!!! - 25 Aug 2021 2:27 AM GMT
Things are getting tense in Game 3!
None of the players are ready to let go of this game easily and the sweat beads have started to appear! It is 9 ALL.
- 25 Aug 2021 2:25 AM GMT
Both Sonal and Li Qian stay abreast of each other in the third Game which is turning out to be a nail-biter!
Who will come out on top of this? - 25 Aug 2021 2:25 AM GMT
Sonal keeps a close tab on Qian in Game 3!
Sonal puts in her all at this moment as rallies as long as 13 shots are being played now!
We are at 5 ALL! - 25 Aug 2021 2:24 AM GMT
Into Game 3 we head!
Li Qian looks very much in control here as Sonal struggles on the other end.
Qian with the lead at 2-5 in the third game as well! - 25 Aug 2021 2:21 AM GMT
Game 2 wrapped in 5 minutes!
And in the blink of an eye, Li Qian has taken back charge of the match and has squared up with Sonalben on the board. She wins the second game 3-11.
It is 1 GAME ALL. - 25 Aug 2021 2:20 AM GMT
Is a comeback possible for Sonal in the second game?
The rallies are getting longer and more intense now as Sonal tries to make a comeback.
However, Qian is racing away at 3-10! - 25 Aug 2021 2:18 AM GMT
Change of pace and strategy!
Li Qian is powering on in the second game as has raced away to a 1-5 lead in no time! Sonalben looks a little flustered now but Qian is relentless.
- 25 Aug 2021 2:17 AM GMT
Attack from Li Qian in the second game!
Charging into the second game, Li Qian has rustled up now and takes a 0-3 lead!
- 25 Aug 2021 2:16 AM GMT
First game wrapped up in 6 minutes!
What style from Sonalben as she edges past her 2-time Paralympic medallist opponent from China to take the first game, 11-9!
Beautiful start to the morning!
